As NetWallah notes, you want to use a dispatch table, as it allows you to check for the existance of the sub before you call it (one of the "various valid reasons relating to maintainability and security"). However, there is no need to have to deal with such annoying syntax. Check out Exporter::Dispatch on the CPAN. It will make your life much easier. For instance, NetWallah's sample now becomes even cleaner. First the table definition: (with the prototypes removed, as they are pointless in this situation)